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May 28, 2010

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Rand Paul's interview with the Russian government propaganda channel Russia Today is getting a lot of attention today for his assertion that he opposes the American tradition of granting citizenship to everyone born in the United States.

But while the interview is hilarious and the position is certainly newsy, it should only be news to people who haven't followed the race, and it's a mark of how little attention Paul was paid before winning the nomination.

This isn't some obscure stance. It was widely known, and not even a secret in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post's Amy Gardner mentioned it in passing earlier this month: Paul supports "amending the Constitution so that children born in the United States to illegal immigrants would no longer become citizens automatically," she wrote.

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I like Rand Paul. I happen to disagree with his position on this particular issue, but the fact that Paul is arguing to amend the Constitution, as opposed to bypassing it and just passing another unconstitutional law is commendable. Rand Paul is a breath of fresh air and a different kind of politician in the sense that he is a free thinker, kind of like a philosopher. It's just too bad that the mass media can't handle a principled politician who won't make back room deals or rely on overnight polls to decide where he falls on the issues.

They're called anchor babies, Ben, and most of the American population is against the "tradition" as well. It came about through an ammendment to the constitution after the civil war in order to make the children of the freed slaves citizens. The policy has been warped to justify illegal immigration and it should be stopped.

Whats hilarious is Obama being exposed on a daily basis for the vaccuous clueless incompetent idiot he is, that only those who were not foolish enough to fall for the teleprompted meaningless words or the Historic Skin Color understood easily before Nov 2008.

Posted By: Whats hilarious is Obama being exposed on a daily basis for the vaccuous clueless incompetent idiot | May 28, 2010 at 03:56 PM

Get with the program Ben..... Most Americans know this and almost all Real AMericans support this amendment. They are called "ANCHOR" Babies......whereby Illegals come here, the women get Preggo Fast and Furious (in many cases Gawd knows who the dad is), and procreate them babies as Anchors for their own selfish purposes in this country......and this is one group the left wing NARAL or other Pro Abort extremists will Never target....lol...lol...

Pro-segregation. Pro-stripping rights from American citizens. And like most baggers, probably FOR the Arizona "show me your papers" law. How can you baggers claim NOT to be fascists? You can't be for all this and be for freedom and liberty, too!

Posted By: Pro-segregation. Pro-stripping rights from American citizens. And like most baggers, probably FOR | May 28, 2010 at 04:51 PM

" the Russian government propaganda channel Russia Today" - whats up with that characterization? Did you see they paychecks? What does the fact that he gave an interview to RT have to do with Rand Paul and his stance on the issues? I'll tell you what: first we try to paint him racist! Does not fly tooo far. Then, we say, look, he is against giving US cit to babies of illegals! Did you know that foreign Diplomats in the US were already stripped off that right, long time ago? Obviosly, and conveniently, forgotten. So now, lets paint him as a traitor: he is talking to the Russkies, OMG! Obviously russians are set out to invade the US media! Yawn. Just like cia invented aids. Can you guys just try a little harder, and hide the fact that youre all afraid of a truly new figure in DC?

If anything scars me, it's the fact that we have anti-government forces who are making their private and personal self-interests their only political concern at a time when we're facing economic and financial calamity some economists are warning of another recession, environmental catastrophe not only is the gulf wetlands in immediate danger, but hundreds of threatened species are going extinct while we argue about politics and religion, our military and national guard and their families are stretched to the limit while N. Korea and Iran rattle their sabers, and we have arrogant jerks like Rand Paul who pushe for drastic constitution reform that has little or nothing to do with matters outside their own arrogant and selfish special interests. Paul and Sarah Palin are like brats with attention deficit disorder. They need attention for what disturbs them, but not votes from the electorate at a time so challenging that it scars tea party members to act like terrorists.

@Tortoise Thank you, Tart! How could I forget: we also try to associate as one two figs that could not be further apart: a dum, old barbie Sarah, and a smart guy like Rand. Lets confuse everyone even more, why not?! In the process, lets pepper it all with "anti-government forces", Gulf, Iran, russian propaganda, what else? Just a sidenote, that Politico, that some regarded as truly independent (is there such a thing in the US?) has become mental rubbish outlet, just like WaPo.

Posted By: @Tortoise Thank you, Tart! How could I forget: we also try to associate as one two figs that could | May 28, 2010 at 05:39 PM

Although his father's foreign policy positions are wrong, in general what both father and son propose is absolutely right.
What part of the word illegal don't you liberals / progressives not understand?
None of the various entitlements that the govt offers these people is constitutional, but since they're all funded by OUR tax dollars, how can you possibly say that the govt has the right to give them to people from other countries who have never paid into the system, and who work mostly off the books for cash today.
The only reason the left does this in the first place, is buy votes for themselves to help keep THEM in power. This is wrong on every level, and anyone for it is either ignorant, or a liar.
And it's part of a web of insanity that's destroying the greatest country of all times.
Grow up children.
TANSTAAFL
( There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch )

Parents have been scooped up by ICE. There was a Columbian woman featured recently who was here for about 15 years and overstayed her visa. ICE showed up and sent her back. She had 3 teens born here. The kids periodically travel to visit her in Columbia.

The kids are Americans.
This Paul Amendment would never pass. I am pretty sure that he is not the first to suggest such a thing.

Remember - REMFs like troll never fought for you, never will fight for you, and if they anything wouldn't want them in your foxhole with you anyway, because they'd run at the sound of the first shots. Or turn Benedict Arnold on you in the heat of battle. Whatever the case, people like troll don't deserve this great country!

Posted By: Remember - REMFs like troll never fought for you, never will fight for you, and if they anything wou | May 28, 2010 at 06:17 PM

Citizenship in the United States is a matter of federal law, governed by the United States constitution.
Since the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment to the constitution on July 9, 1868, birthright citizenship in the United States has been controlled by its Citizenship Clause, which states:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Some media correspondents and public leaders, including former congressman Virgil Goode(lost election), have controversially dubbed this the "anchor baby" situation, and politicians have proposed legislation on this basis that might alter how birthright citizenship is awarded.

Bills have been introduced from time to time in Congress which have sought to declare U.S.-born children of foreign nationals not to be subject to the "jurisdiction" of the United States, and thus not entitled to citizenship via the 14th Amendment, unless at least one parent were a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. For example, former Representative Republican from Georgia Nathan Deal (not seek re-election in 2010) introduced the "Citizenship Reform Act of 2005" (H.R. 698) in the 109th Congress, the "Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007" (H.R. 1940) in the 110th Congress, and the "Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009" (H.R. 1868) in the 111th Congress. Neither these nor any similar bills, however, have ever been approved by Congress.

Some legislators, unsure whether such acts of Congress would survive court challenges, have proposed that the Citizenship Clause be changed through a constitutional amendment. Senate Joint Resolution 6, introduced on January 16, 2009 in the 111th Congress, proposes such an amendment; however, neither this, nor any other proposed amendment, has yet been approved by Congress for ratification by the states.

Posted By: Citizenship in the United States is a matter of federal law, governed by the United States constitut | May 28, 2010 at 06:32 PM

Most of my family came to this country legally. My grandfather, however, was the son of illegal immigrants. He was born in the Midwest, served in WWII, became a doctor, became... well, my grandpa. Why does Rand Paul hate my grandpa?

Posted By: Most of my family came to this country legally. My grandfather, however, was the son of illegal immi | May 28, 2010 at 07:34 PM

Mark Levin made an interesting point. He said (paraphrase) when an ambassador has a baby here they are not a citizen , when tourist has a baby here they are not a citizen but a person who comes here illegally and has a baby the baby is a citizen.
Mark Levin defends Rand Paul again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjujt-GSeAA

I am just so grateful that we are all lucky to witness how Mr. Smith just keeps sharing his pearls of wisdom with us all: RT, it turns out, is a russian government propaganda, and just so y'all know, we were not careful enough of this sneaky guy, Rand Paul. His stance however has been noted by the like of Mr. Smith, Ms. Gardner. Just feel like expressing my gratitude to Mr. Smith, for sharing his endless wisdom with us, little people, and to Politoco, for allowing such a phenomenon to flourish. Soon, with the help of Messers Smiths here, Politico will become even bigger than Washington Times!

Let's see. How would the Wrong Wing react if a Democrat gave an interview on a RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA CHANNEL where he said he wanted to TRASH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Funny, isn't it, how it's the "libertarians" who claim to be pro-Constitution, who are the ones talking about TEARING IT APART, and even telling people they can't vote for their Senators?
The tea party is the best thing to ever happen to Democrats.
Latest Quinnipiac poll: 42% - 36% prefer to vote for Democrats in November....Democrats have won seven special elections in a row since last year, and they just won in PA, GA, and FLA, and incumbents won 5 out of 7 primaries so far....
Good luck, Rethugs! LOL

This man is crazy. He wants to fix a flat by crushing the whole car. There, no more flat tire. How about stopping illegal immigration before shredding the Constitution, Einstein? Have you ever thought of that? If this guy can be an eye surgeon, anyone can become one. The more he talks, the more we learn about the lunatic teabagger fringe. Rand Paul and that Nazi Bachmann should be the first ones to go in November.

Posted By: This man is crazy. He wants to fix a flat by crushing the whole car. There, no more flat tire. How a | May 29, 2010 at 11:04 AM

I find it fascinating how those who support Rand and his desire to amend the Constitution in order to toss out the illegals and their babies, uniformly fail to mention the big businesses that thrive from taking advantage of the illegals' desire to work at a wage so low no American citizen will take it. They're just fine with illegals picking our crops and cleaning hotel rooms, but say nothing about corporations' massive profits off the backs of these workers. What is it about "enforcing the law" against hiring illegals that you conservatives and baggers don't understand?

He has a point. It could put an end to the crazy situation where illegals come here to deliver their babies free in a US hospital and they're automatically citizens. That was never even a possible issue when the constitution was written. And since the constitution is a living document we can change it however the courts want to reinterpret it.

Another million pregnant Mexican women will shortly be dropping their anchor babies on American soil, but they will not have to swim the Rio Grande, getting a short term visa is all that is needed. The worst scenario would be if other third world women had the same idea, as tourists they could flood the nation will a hundred million babies crying for a welfare check. It would force taxpayers to support countless children that were not their own.

So what you are saying is this. A 9 month pregnant Mexican women walks into some office in Mexico and says: Hi, my name is ______ . Can I please have a short term visa to the U.S.? She gets one right away, gets on a bus and heads to Arizona.
Is there a mental clinic in you neighborhood? You should check in ASAP?

Posted By: So what you are saying is this. A 9 month pregnant Mexican women walks into some office in Mexico an | May 29, 2010 at 01:05 PM

There is basically no hope for Kentucky. Immigration there is too low to counter their rapidly aging population. http://pewhispanic.org/states/?stateid=ky Hispanics as Percentage of Kentucky Population, %2; Median Age of Hispanics in Kentucky, 24; Median Age of Foreign Born Hispanics in Kentucky, 33; Median Age of Native Born Hispanics in Kentucky, 13; Median Age of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kentucky, 39. .......... http://www.kltprc.net/foresight/Chpt_50.htm Kentucky's Aging Population: First, Kentucky’s population is aging faster than most. . . The Census Bureau ranked Kentucky 28th in 1995 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of its population 65 and older. By 2025, however, the state is expected to rank 14th. ( Kentucky’s 65 and older population is predicted to increase by almost 9 percentage points, from around 12.6 percent to 21.3 percent) . . . From 1975 to 2000, Kentucky’s 65 and older population looked similar to that of the nation as a whole. However, from 2005 until at least 2025, Kentucky is expected to pull away from the U.S. average. . . Moreover, Kentucky’s older citizens have historically been disproportionately poor and thus more likely to rely heavily on a combination of federal and state programs for support. We also know that a significant percentage of Kentuckians will depend on Medicare and Social Security in their retirement. ....... http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/the_future_of_american_power.html THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN POWER, by Fareed Zakaria: Nicholas Eberstadt, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, estimates that the U.S. population will increase by 65 million by 2030, whereas Europe's population will remain "virtually stagnant." Europe, Eberstadt notes, "will by that time have more than twice as many seniors older than 65 than children under 15, with drastic implications for future aging. (Fewer children now means fewer workers later.) . . . The only real way to avert this demographic decline is for Europe to take in more immigrants. . . The effects of an aging population are considerable. First, there is the pension burden -- fewer workers supporting more gray-haired elders. . . Native-born white Americans have the same low fertility rates as Europeans.

There is basically no hope for Kentucky. Immigration there is too low to counter their rapidly aging population. http://pewhispanic.org/states/?stateid=ky Hispanics as Percentage of Kentucky Population, %2; Median Age of Hispanics in Kentucky, 24; Median Age of Foreign Born Hispanics in Kentucky, 33; Median Age of Native Born Hispanics in Kentucky, 13; Median Age of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kentucky, 39. .......... http://www.kltprc.net/foresight/Chpt_50.htm Kentucky's Aging Population: First, Kentucky’s population is aging faster than most. . . The Census Bureau ranked Kentucky 28th in 1995 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of its population 65 and older. By 2025, however, the state is expected to rank 14th. ( Kentucky’s 65 and older population is predicted to increase by almost 9 percentage points, from around 12.6 percent to 21.3 percent) . . . From 1975 to 2000, Kentucky’s 65 and older population looked similar to that of the nation as a whole. However, from 2005 until at least 2025, Kentucky is expected to pull away from the U.S. average. . . Moreover, Kentucky’s older citizens have historically been disproportionately poor and thus more likely to rely heavily on a combination of federal and state programs for support. We also know that a significant percentage of Kentuckians will depend on Medicare and Social Security in their retirement. ....... http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/the_future_of_american_power.html THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN POWER, by Fareed Zakaria: Nicholas Eberstadt, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, estimates that the U.S. population will increase by 65 million by 2030, whereas Europe's population will remain "virtually stagnant." Europe, Eberstadt notes, "will by that time have more than twice as many seniors older than 65 than children under 15, with drastic implications for future aging. (Fewer children now means fewer workers later.) . . . The only real way to avert this demographic decline is for Europe to take in more immigrants. . . The effects of an aging population are considerable. First, there is the pension burden -- fewer workers supporting more gray-haired elders. . . Native-born white Americans have the same low fertility rates as Europeans.

"It's a half an inch of water and you think your gonna drown. That's the way that the world goes 'round." -John Prine ............. http://pewhispanic.org/states/?stateid=ky . . . Hispanics as Percentage of Kentucky Population: %2

finally someone is talking about an abused system. too bad he wasn't running here in texas. my girlfriend is in nursing and it is out of control with illegal immigrants coming over to give birth. it's bad enough the children become tools for the mother's selfish ends, but bad too because then we have to pay for it. i don't want to send all illegal immigrants home, just the ones that come to take advantage of our too generous welfare system.

@Mark: thank you buddy, good to know your propaganda meter is in check for us all. Now, check this: when did Paul said he wants to trash the Constitution? Get the facts straight, before crying like a sissy.
To everyone else: prior to injecting FOX's and Politico's pre-fab ideas in your heads check the facts: all foreign diplomats in the US were stripped of the privilege to have their children get the US citizenship long time ago. Whats so wrong with barring illegals from the same? Canada is almost there, and Canada is a much more democratic country.

@Mark: thank you buddy, good to know your propaganda meter is in check for us all. Now, check this: when did Paul said he wants to trash the Constitution? Get the facts straight, before crying like a sissy.
To everyone else: prior to injecting FOX's and Politico's pre-fab ideas in your heads check the facts: all foreign diplomats in the US were stripped of the privilege to have their children get the US citizenship long time ago. Whats so wrong with barring illegals from the same? Canada is almost there, and Canada is a much more democratic country.

THere are many people in the United States that hold strange and "out of the norm" views. However, that doesn't mean they get attention. It makes sense that when someone has the nomination of a major party, they would get ALOT more attention than they did previously as a private citizen. The fact that you find tha tstrange is, in fact, in itself strange. IT is only reasonable and rational that the American people know who they are electing and his points of view.

I think it's safe to say that if President Obama went to Russia and spoke on Russian TV about doing away with a 125 year old amendment these same Rand Paul groupies aka republican would be asking for his head.
My only comfort to this typeof insanity is that I won't be around if and when these loons take control of the country.